ANN SEXTON - ANTHOLOGY
Ann Sexton is one of the great unsung female soul singers of all time. She was born in South Carolina and began singing gospel until 1971 when she spotted by Songwriter/producer Dave Lee. Her first album 'Loving You Loving Me' was released on John Richbourg's 77 label from Nashville. It includes the in demand funky 'Youre Losing Me' and the Northern Soul favourite 'You've Been Gone Too Long' along with some great Southern Soul gems. Her second and last album 'In The Beginning' was recorded in Muscle Shoals and released on Sound Stage 7 in 1977. Both these albums are now extremely hard to find, 'Loving You Loving Me' fetching about £300, if you can find one. This Anthology puts together for the first time all the tracks from these two albums plus a seven inch only modern/crossover track 'You Got To Use What You Got'. The mid tempo southern tracks, must surely have been an influence on Joss Stone with very similar phrasing and nuances, just listen to 'Come Back Home' and 'Keep Holding On'. Partially thanks to Joss Stone, 'Southern soul' music is back in vogue and hopefully Ann Sexton will get the credit she deserves this time round, for recording some of the best music of this style ever put on wax or disc.

(vinyl no longer available)

Track list (click to hear tracks - one minute clips)